IceCube Startup and Construction Project

将开展与建造名为冰立方(立方千米探测器)的深冰中微子探测器有关的第一阶段活动。这是一个MREFC项目。这些活动包括：1)建造一个可移动的增强型热水钻探系统，包括所需的钻探营地设施，该设施适合在南极的冰上钻直径45厘米、长2.5公里的洞，每个钻探季节至少钻16个洞，每个洞需要8 000加仑燃料；2)安装用于冰层应用的专用探测器；3)数据采集和数据处理硬件和软件开发；4)建造和部署钻探系统和IceCube探测器阵列的系统工程；5)测试所有系统；6)建立相关的管理系统。这项工作的开展将考虑到在南极极端环境中可靠和安全地操作这一设备的需要。这项第一阶段工作将为实施完整的冰立方建设项目奠定基础，部署80串光学模块(由光电倍增管和相关电子设备组成)，每个模块将插入使用EHWDS钻出的孔中，冻结在冰中，并与相应的数据采集、数据处理和数据分析系统一起运行。冰立方探测器阵列将通过其从宇宙学事件中探测高能中微子的能力，为了解宇宙及其起源和演化打开一扇新的窗口。教育将是整个冰立方项目的一部分，但不是第一阶段奖励的一部分。

Phase I activities associated with construction of a deep-ice neutrino detector known as IceCube (for cubic kilometer detector) will be carried out. This is an MREFC project. The activities include: 1) construction of a movable enhanced hot water drill system (EHWDS), including the needed drill camp facilities, suitable for drilling 45 cm diameter, 2.5 km deep holes in the ice at the South Pole at a rate of at least 16 holes per drilling season in a fuel efficient manner requiring 8000 gallons of fuel per hole; 2) construction of specialized detectors for in-ice applications; 3) data acquisition and data handling hardware and software development; 4) system engineering for construction and deployment of the drill system and IceCube detector array; 5) testing of all systems; and 6) establishment of associated management system. This work will be carried out taking into consideration the need to operate this equipment reliably and safely in the extreme Antarctic environment. This Phase I work will set the stage for implementation of the full IceCube construction project for deployment of 80 strings of 64 optical modules (consisting of photomultiplier tubes and associated electronics) each that are to be inserted into the holes drilled using the EHWDS, frozen into the ice, and operated in conjunction with a corresponding data acquisition, data handling, and data analysis system. The IceCube detector array will open a new window on the universe and its origin and evolution by its ability to detect high energy neutrinos from cosmological events. Education will be a part of the overall IceCube project, but is not a part of this Phase I award.